A senior UEFA official has endorsed the philosophy behind Chelsea Football Club's Academy and how the club develops young players.

William Gaillard, who was representing UEFA President Michel Platini at the Cobham Cup over the Bank Holiday weekend, was impressed with our new Academy and Community Pavilion, and even more taken with the quality of football on display from the eight teams involved.

Although the Chelsea Under 16s were eventually beaten into second place by Argentines River Plate, Gaillard, the UEFA Director of Communications and Public Affairs, anticipates a bright future.

''The quality is fantastic, 25 years ago 16-year-olds weren't playing like this and it is quite amazing to see the ball control and the vision, it is stunning,' he began.

'I am also very impressed with the facilities and they are the kind of state-of-the-art facilities that the great clubs need. I am not an expert in football development but there is no doubt that the Chelsea initiative goes exactly in the direction we want big clubs to go, not only to buy players but also to educate players, and we can only approve of that.

'This is the exact philosophy that drives our president Michel Platini, and this is why I am here, on his behalf to welcome this extraordinary initiative, and I hope other clubs will follow suit.'